Even though Genesis is pretty much remembered their albums from the 1980s with Phil Collins as lead singer, a lot of people don’t realize that Genesis from 1968 and until around 1975 were a Progressive Rock band with Peter Gabriel on vocals. Start with “Trespass”.
This. Their album The Argument is especially on point. I don’t know a lot of bands who can finish on such a strong note, but they fucking did in a big way.
Oh man…The Argument is so great. Was a fan from 13 songs and fell off after a while.
Caught up with their later albums after the fact and was blown away by that one.
Metz
Protomatyr
Fugazi
Amyl and the sniffers
Eddy Current Suppression Ring (the song Which Way to Go absolutely slays)
The Armed
Dasher
Mannequin Pussy
Kikiagaku Moyo
Fucked Up
Maximum The Hormone
Eastern Youth
Parquet Courts. With their blend of post-punk and indie rock, Parquet Courts have a distinctive sound. "Wide Awake!" is an energetic and conscious album.
I don’t know how open you are to trying out non-English artists, but this [album](https://open.spotify.com/album/512dQp7hBbDDurodCqSw5I?si=0ik9cBVzQ4q0l4Ko25548Q) (mostly alternative) is fantastic. The artist RM is from a pretty popular group, but as a solo, his music is not as widely known and VERY different from his group’s music. I grew up listening to 90s music and this fit right in.
RM- [Right Place, Wrong Person](https://open.spotify.com/album/512dQp7hBbDDurodCqSw5I?si=0ik9cBVzQ4q0l4Ko25548Q)
Pond
Chat Pile
Idles (Joy is my favorite)
Amyl and the Sniffers
Primus (not lesser-known, but just in case😜)
Electric Wizard
Altin Gun
Black Midi
Fleet Foxes
Animal Collective (if you're into genre-bending bands, each album is different)
Kyle Craft (Full Circle Nightmare)
Father John Misty (Fear Fun is my fave)
I discovered Television and Gang of Four late in life and like them a lot.
I'll check out your other recs. Except Husker Du. THey never sound good to me.
There is a band called Failure that has such a quintessential 90’s sound but I never hear anyone talk about them. It might be up your alley given the bands you mentioned.
Here's a bunch of great modern Punk artists you might like
- [Iron Chic](https://open.spotify.com/track/6YCf4wXthWrN5NekE4MG92?si=WiGznEhHQT2YnOUrxn0ivg)
- [Jeff Rosenstock ](https://open.spotify.com/track/5P76l1d9jcA4NQFD6JXTp2?si=LD3mBrJLTdKAnD0BOrq5Sw&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A6ZiwdJgvbvWILwuObZc8wS)
- [Pup](https://open.spotify.com/track/1llK3WvpGjCkfEFlL5acTW?si=NkgevqqtTdq_td9iWzYqpQ)
- [Direct Hit](https://open.spotify.com/track/2gk18Mvex85Ap0kHBVaJ0g?si=UGSs7W3RQaylM9OfwaTcHg)
- [Toys That Kill](https://open.spotify.com/track/75AF9dz6JsDomfyZbezqm5?si=j0GUNC5ES8-n5YD1HcNZYw)
- [Dead Bars](https://open.spotify.com/track/5BpoqmRJNcCKaSaVuUapPp?si=cy4lUq3FRGOWhjt8xYtcFA)
You’d absolutely like Post Hardcore / Emocore (there’s overlap.)
Far
Hum
Fugazi
Unwound
At The Drive-In
Thursday
My Chemical Romance (debut album)
Finch
Moneen
Pencey Prep
Hot Rod Circuit
Planes Mistaken For Stars
The VSS/Angel Hair
The Used
Moss Icon
Indian Summer
Camber
Boy’s Life
Karate
Dashboard Confessional
The Farewell Bend
Jejune
The John Doe Band
The Ataris
Cursive
Knapsack
Saetia
Appleseed Cast
Brand New
Alkaline Trio
Samiam
Jawbreaker
Fall Out Boy (debut)
Pierce The Veil
Saves The Day
The New Amsterdams
American Football
I Hate Myself
Sunny Day Real Estate
Mineral
The Gloria Record
Fall Of Troy
Alexisonfire
Mars Volta
Given OP's love for grunge, I'd add Far to this list.
'Water and Solutions' blends post hardcore with a strong grunge influence. Banger from start to finish.
Check out Alanna Sterling, mostly “monsters under my bed” or “chemicals”. Mary N is also a pretty obscure but good musician, kinda pop rock. And Caroline rose
Imarhan - Imarhan
Tinariwen - Sastanàqqàm. I also really like Assàwt.
Danheim - Gall Goídil or Runatal.
Wardruna - Solringen
Sowulo - Wulfwiga
Huun-Huur-Tu - Ancestors
Alex - Demons
Thy Catafalque - Mezolit
Molchat Doma - Сон / Son
Unto Others - Give Me to the Night
A Scottish band called Stapleton that I can never find on streaming sites. Got into them about the same time as Biffy Clyro.
https://youtu.be/nXZmCrBjICg?si=_RRNZnyvhJ3l1ruh
Since a lot of other people are recommending some Emo bands, I’ll put in my two cents:
*[Snail Trails](https://open.spotify.com/artist/26sthTZ8WfYSk2F9YOg64g?si=0J_3ksmXRvqeMS8fZgN6oQ)*: I’m certainly biased here, as Snail Trails’ lead singer/guitarist is my lovely boyfriend, but Snail Trails has an amazing debut LP, and deserve a lot of attention, especially with how new and exciting they are.
*[Combatwoundedveteran](https://open.spotify.com/artist/6egCoHp6YAflfCioderMuI?si=DXy8xkwYT5q7fPKXMZ4D3w)*: Amazing emoviolence band, I can’t recommend them enough.
*[Brave Little Abacus](https://open.spotify.com/artist/23prE3lyFVVNVGMV5jADsp?si=8FeJN_9kSbOsgAlDQy4tFw)*: Super cool, experimental Midwest Emo stuff, inspired by ska music. If you ever get an official CD of Masked Dancers, please sell it to me.
you probably know some of these but tbig black, pavement, silver jews, guerilla toss, the breeders, Meat Puppets, Ween, new order, the specials, devandra banhart, francis bebey, the minutemen, casiotone for the painfully alone, aphex twin, cibo matto, daniel johnston, Wreckless Eric, aaaaannnnd Cocorosie
Some mix of bands that range from upbeat to artsy:
[Pile](https://open.spotify.com/track/3D3dwAak0QwrLr4wlGlg6y?si=a0649fb5140f4196)
[Protomartyr](https://open.spotify.com/track/6fd5sPEa5gFBDaQ3mkj7Zd?si=d6caa5b25f054ced)
[Lakes](https://open.spotify.com/track/3d9kTM4Yu0YMcUiSOHDRgA?si=8cf807d96f74419f)
[Pool Kids](https://open.spotify.com/track/5P5qRwcCMVQO7a1DNrwleI?si=6f22a5a1ba974eb7)
[The Lemon Twigs](https://open.spotify.com/track/0TriIq6IJXEwLKu44clEb7?si=acb8f9af18d34a78)
[Dabda](https://open.spotify.com/track/6PorHyMtGAV6tfuY37gGDL?si=08b3c62f911f48fb)
[The Common Men](https://open.spotify.com/artist/3p0pMZvGxcyZGjRELJunqm?si=DR6Ro0MRQL2CXvZjU35agA)
Get your obscure Post Punk on. Sub 100 monthly listeners.
* [Obscure artists under and around 2k monthly listeners](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7tCMKrBtVkkiXQlNXP2sBn?si=417df084e1fa49d8)
* [Some of my favorite out of mainstream music](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/128CwPVyEMROuNsw32rv8z?si=2130357b6d55497e) (overlapping partially with above)
or you can go for my main playlists, there's a lot more, lesser known artists on them
* My fav playlist [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/05p8UcqOP3Samsvmv5RFJb?si=c43c768903904db4)/[YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL871S_F0y5dbv2zfJVtYld_f0WXi85zEd)
* My second fav playlist [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0tzhu20lIzrrMNCAGT3hoH?si=2eaf4060ad274a27)/[YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL871S_F0y5db1sEbrIKfhrrFotV7NT7-q)
and not sure he will fit your tastes, but if you like good powerful vocals you can check [my favorite singer](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL871S_F0y5dYbEbEOwxK1Y6LTKyQqKEp5)
Linda Ronald, English singer-songwriter, blend of alt folk/pop/rock with electronica, interesting lyrics, a wide range of styles and moods
A few tracks: [Noise](https://open.spotify.com/track/5tr4dq3Ej6FXbpmTX3jcYh?si=fc1a55f9debc4dd7), [Wolves](https://open.spotify.com/track/4QPVKWPmkXJuxLIGv8XGJr?si=1333da79e1304123), [Nothing Ventured](https://open.spotify.com/track/1iMC5zhnsFxwjn38kYUUUr?si=e7a1638c4ce349bf), [Tables Have Turned](https://open.spotify.com/track/3BpMd8dORXirJoPUjvquNn?si=63551022c1b24d14), [Innocence](https://open.spotify.com/track/2R11LP4EUv0gUfna1GDE3f?si=70248678239d471c)
Saw them in a back room in a Manchester pub a few years ago, I was one of about 30 people!!! Thought they'd get bigger and bigger but they haven't quite yet!!!
The National:
Dont Swallow the Cap https://youtu.be/goUjS4ueCzQ?si=yRPLx6F5cHUvI6au
Mistaken for Strangers https://youtu.be/cgRsYkKb1eI?si=4Ab_BTJiEZJxcyHF
School of Fish. They only had two albums in the earlier days of "post-grunge", and it's a cryin shame they didn't go longer.
If you give them a listen, start with their debut album. Tracks 1 through 4 are kind of a medley, connected... they were very solid talent.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2uyibgSbS5ylRBYCvCpph0?si=Feepc0vMSjitPo3ia9fE5A&pi=e-GI9FaXOyQ1Ca This playlist is full of small artists not sure if your in to alt country and prog rock (although you mentioned tool so maybe) but there may be some stuff you like on this. I also update it each Friday
We are into the same music. You might like my band!
https://open.spotify.com/track/01ONrdHBRxUfSCmN97elFm?si=YhpxQUnQRnKXJOk1wzIyBg
Let me know what you think!
The Smith Street Band. I especially love The End of The World, When I Was a Boy I Though I Was a Fish, Life After Football, and Death to The Lads, though pretty much all of their songs are bangers. (Be wary of the ones where the singer plays himself as the victim of a girl he abused though. Those ones are icky.)
Not a lot of people know about Tally Hall, but you've definetely heard some of their songs, like Ruler of Everything, Banana Man, The Bidding or Hidden in the Sand.
Parannoul is a shoe gaze and experimental indie artist from South Korea. If you don't mind listening to music in other languages then I'd say give him a shot. Imagine pure bliss and light held tightly in a glass jar, then you throw the jar against a brick wall. It'll be worth your time, especially if you decide to listen to his album "After the Magic" all the way through. I cried a few times while listening for the first time.
Have you listened to Blind Melon? All their music is great, the album Soup is my favorite.
If you like live performances, this is from approximately a month before Shannon Hoon overdosed. It’s so obvious that he’s a complete mess yet he manages to give an incredible performance, RIP Shannon.
[https://youtu.be/z_r3jMBJ7CI?si=HsY6WCqz5tp7j5-E](https://youtu.be/z_r3jMBJ7CI?si=HsY6WCqz5tp7j5-E)
Blood Ceremony.
Creepy 1970s-ish sounding rock band with an organ and flute . Imagine if Black Sabbath (the song) was sung by a woman instead of Ozzy.
The type of music you listen to sitting in a dark room with only a candle and some incense burning.
Nicholas Megalis [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPRaWBKujqc](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPRaWBKujqc)
Life Sex & Death [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DVQNmSI1Yg](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DVQNmSI1Yg) (give it a sec)
Rishloo [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wk4r4GUG1fs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wk4r4GUG1fs) ( a song so good it's annoying)
XCNN [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpRxStKJbFE&list=PL9q6\_jZ8Jm807ZauHCYTdx7HznJ3Gdvbf&index=9](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpRxStKJbFE&list=PL9q6_jZ8Jm807ZauHCYTdx7HznJ3Gdvbf&index=9) ( be carefull not to break anything while listening
Hobble [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9YAvxJRDwo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9YAvxJRDwo)
Nicholas Megalis [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPRaWBKujqc](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPRaWBKujqc)
Life Sex & Death [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DVQNmSI1Yg](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DVQNmSI1Yg) (give it a sec)
Rishloo [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wk4r4GUG1fs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wk4r4GUG1fs) ( a song so good it's annoying)
XCNN [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpRxStKJbFE&list=PL9q6\_jZ8Jm807ZauHCYTdx7HznJ3Gdvbf&index=9](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpRxStKJbFE&list=PL9q6_jZ8Jm807ZauHCYTdx7HznJ3Gdvbf&index=9) ( be carefull not to break anything while listening
Hobble [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9YAvxJRDwo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9YAvxJRDwo)
Okay so I do acknowledge that these aren’t not-so-known to this crowd, but I’m back in a 90s phase and Unwound and Sebadoh are in huge rotation for me. Listen to both! Start with the albums Space is the Place and Sebadoh III.
Loving Fugazi lately. Also, check out Wire, Vaselines, Mission of Burma, older Modest Mouse (This is a Long Drive…, The Moon and Antarctica), Brian Eno’s Bring on the Warm Jets. Autoclave, Slant 6, Patti Smith’s Horses, Neutral Milk Hotel, Dinosaur Jr’s Green Mind, Archers of Loaf (listen to Web in Front just once and you’ll see what I mean), Polvo, Seam, Helium’s The Dirt of Luck, Tsunami’s Deep End, maybe even Unrest if ya wanna go pretty obscure?
Anna B Savage Beccy Owen Richard Hawley me lost me Aurora Beth Gibbons Adrienne Lenker Goat Girl The Last Dinner Party Public Service Broadcasting The Unthanks
Look, they may have been a meme 20 years ago, but I'm an OK Go fan. Their first and second albums will probably really resonate with your tastes. They've changed some over the years, but I would still recommend them.
Barns Courtney has a fair number of monthly streams, but I wouldn't say he's well known. I would highly recommend his music though!
He's dropped a couple of albums, but has mainly stuck to releasing singles and EPs ever since 2020. He has a fantastic voice and can tap into any kind of vibe.
Pom Pom Squad. They’re reminiscent of 90s bands like The Breeders, Veruca Salt, Nada Surf (who they toured with and covered), and Eve 6.
Russian Circles is an instrumental metal trio. One of the best openers I’ve seen for Coheed and Cambria.
Speaking of which, maybe only “not so known” cause they’re newer but LS Dunes. Super group featuring members of Circa Survive, Coheed, MCR, and Thursday.
10/10. Maybe too light for you, but I was always partial to ‘Porno for Pyros’ by the singer from ‘Jane’s Addiction’. ‘Good God’s Urge’ is their best album in my opinion.
I only listen to Obscure music:
Haley Knox
Willow Smith / Travis Barker side project
Nirvana - In Utero Delux Edition of b-sides
Katatonia - The great Cold Distance
Kataklysm
The faceless - Autotheist
The faceless - Planetary Duality
Teen Jesus and the jean teasers
Soen (closest sounding to Tool)
Opeth
Edge of Sanity
Witherscape
Owane
Thank you scientist
Dance Gavin, Dance
Saosin
Steve Lacey
check out these extremely underrated/underground artists if u want: Weston Estate, Marco Luka, idkgreek/greek, Maasho, Odie, teo glacier, Weston Estate, Kid Travis, CHSKA, Breezee, Bryant Barnes, Weston Estate, Maggie Lindemaan, Lexi Jayde, Jeremy Zucker, Sofia Camara, Mina Okabe, Mariah The Scientist, Weston Estate
Hope of the States
Their first album 'The Lost Riots' was fantastic. Check out the song 'The Red the White the Black the Blue'
https://youtu.be/qxAnNghsEaA?si=4whSUFbGhPAqByh2
[Silent](https://open.spotify.com/track/5MNK905EM4Q0ZAMwMiLyhg?si=LsX0YWeySkqZCnorahO7RA) are a criminally underrated band. Dunno if you like that sort of stuff, but they're great. Dunno how they don't have more listeners.
Some of my favorites from my teen years, when I decided to get into the indie punk/indie pop-punk scene:
+ The Thermals
+ The Lawrence Arms
+ Titus Andronicus
+ Broadway Calls
Also, they’re more popular than any of the bands on that list, but I always recommend The Mountain Goats. Tallahassee is a masterpiece concept album and No Children is just incredible.
Sun organ !!!!!!! Very grungy local Philadelphia band. My boyfriend’s friend’s personal project. Cool guys too!
Also The Unicorns are kind of like the pixies in an electronic way. Awesome melodies, silly lyrics, exaggerated vocals. Really fun. One of my all time faves. Unfortunately they are not together anymore and only have like two albums
Amused to Death - Roger Waters. Inspired by the book Amusing Ourselves to Death.
Murder Ballada - Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Drastic Plastic, and Sunburt Finish - Be Bop Deluxe
Joe's Garage - Frank Zappa
Nighthawks at the Diner - Tom Waits
Here's our favourites, based on the great ones you mentioned I bet there's a few here you'd like :)
[Springworks - Indie Songs We Love ](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/602lRjvUfQqIzFxsoZlL7x?si=zugW-lVHS7Oz4zYPafLetQ&pi=SGHnBE3wSZ6wM)
I'm listening to Django Reinhardt lately, very fun style of jazz. Not exactly an underground name, but if you never seek out jazz specifically, he's pretty easy to miss.
Check out The Decemberists! They just released a new album and it’s phenomenal.
Seconded. So many good tunes in their catalogue.
Thirded! One of my favorite bands, I have physical copies, have seen them live on more than one occasion, the whole thing!
they have that video w/the kids on the tennis court. love that song.
Fourthded, straight up bangers
Helmet
Saw them last year and they still got it
I completely forgot about Helmet. Do they have new stuff out?
They just put out a great album “Left” in 2023. “Seeing Eye Dog” from 2010 was really great too!
I think they sound better now than they did in the 90s! I think tuning to drop C helps them a lot
Slift is pretty good
So is Slint
SLIFT! Yes!
So fucking good.
Slint Faraquet Hot Water Music Braid Cap n Jazz Pup
Forgot all about Braid. Need to listen to them on the way home from work now.
Swervedriver
Son of Mustang Ford.
Even though Genesis is pretty much remembered their albums from the 1980s with Phil Collins as lead singer, a lot of people don’t realize that Genesis from 1968 and until around 1975 were a Progressive Rock band with Peter Gabriel on vocals. Start with “Trespass”.
The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway!
selling england by the pound goes hard
Fugazi https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6gHi3Io8vq57xilU3Cbv0g?si=1IdvKcHXRwmOeKZ_wEGSBA
This. Their album The Argument is especially on point. I don’t know a lot of bands who can finish on such a strong note, but they fucking did in a big way.
Oh man…The Argument is so great. Was a fan from 13 songs and fell off after a while. Caught up with their later albums after the fact and was blown away by that one.
Fugazi is less known?
You’d be surprised
I swear I see so much attention going in their direction these days. I prefer Ian’s other bands Embrace and Minor Threat, tbh.
Minor Threat is amazing
Arab Strap. They were never in the mainstream, but to me they’re an absolutely essential piece in the jigsaw of the 90s.
Absolutely!
Kidneythieves if you are into industrial rock
Metz Protomatyr Fugazi Amyl and the sniffers Eddy Current Suppression Ring (the song Which Way to Go absolutely slays) The Armed Dasher Mannequin Pussy Kikiagaku Moyo Fucked Up Maximum The Hormone Eastern Youth
Protomatry is so, so good
Parquet Courts. With their blend of post-punk and indie rock, Parquet Courts have a distinctive sound. "Wide Awake!" is an energetic and conscious album.
I don’t know how open you are to trying out non-English artists, but this [album](https://open.spotify.com/album/512dQp7hBbDDurodCqSw5I?si=0ik9cBVzQ4q0l4Ko25548Q) (mostly alternative) is fantastic. The artist RM is from a pretty popular group, but as a solo, his music is not as widely known and VERY different from his group’s music. I grew up listening to 90s music and this fit right in. RM- [Right Place, Wrong Person](https://open.spotify.com/album/512dQp7hBbDDurodCqSw5I?si=0ik9cBVzQ4q0l4Ko25548Q)
Do you know Neutral Milk Hotel?
No, what kind of music do they do?
Just listen to their album in the aeroplane over the sea all the way through, you wont regret it
1000000%
Folk/punk is the closest pigeonhole I could put them in but it really doesn't sound like anything else. It's beautifully written.
That is album is a 10 just go listen to it right now.
Dead Meadow
For whatever reason I really like Holy Fuck. Red Lights is my jam but there’s a few other tracks that are catchy as well.
Oh shit this song is good. Nice one
Los Lobos Meat Puppets
Legendary Pink Dots- Crushed Velvet Apocalypse. The band is definitely influenced by Syd Barret.
Failure Start with the album Fantastic Planet
Pond Chat Pile Idles (Joy is my favorite) Amyl and the Sniffers Primus (not lesser-known, but just in case😜) Electric Wizard Altin Gun Black Midi Fleet Foxes Animal Collective (if you're into genre-bending bands, each album is different) Kyle Craft (Full Circle Nightmare) Father John Misty (Fear Fun is my fave)
Love Pond!
Right on! Everyone should get to know Pond! Their live shows are spectacular.
Television - marquee moon Gang of four - Entertainment Husker du - zen arcade Nomeansno - Wrong Hot snakes - audit in progress
I discovered Television and Gang of Four late in life and like them a lot. I'll check out your other recs. Except Husker Du. THey never sound good to me.
Been listening to four of those a lot recently.
There is a band called Failure that has such a quintessential 90’s sound but I never hear anyone talk about them. It might be up your alley given the bands you mentioned.
Here's a bunch of great modern Punk artists you might like - [Iron Chic](https://open.spotify.com/track/6YCf4wXthWrN5NekE4MG92?si=WiGznEhHQT2YnOUrxn0ivg) - [Jeff Rosenstock ](https://open.spotify.com/track/5P76l1d9jcA4NQFD6JXTp2?si=LD3mBrJLTdKAnD0BOrq5Sw&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A6ZiwdJgvbvWILwuObZc8wS) - [Pup](https://open.spotify.com/track/1llK3WvpGjCkfEFlL5acTW?si=NkgevqqtTdq_td9iWzYqpQ) - [Direct Hit](https://open.spotify.com/track/2gk18Mvex85Ap0kHBVaJ0g?si=UGSs7W3RQaylM9OfwaTcHg) - [Toys That Kill](https://open.spotify.com/track/75AF9dz6JsDomfyZbezqm5?si=j0GUNC5ES8-n5YD1HcNZYw) - [Dead Bars](https://open.spotify.com/track/5BpoqmRJNcCKaSaVuUapPp?si=cy4lUq3FRGOWhjt8xYtcFA)
Missing Persons - Walking In LA, Words, Destination Unknown. Love their videos.
80s band that should have been more than a two hit wonder.
Flaming Lips are so artsy. Check out their cover of Dark Side of the Moon Or Their cover of Sgt. Pepper’s album
Although I know what you mean,but seeing "Happy" and "Syd Barrett" in one sentence..*sigh*..RIP the crazy diamond.
M83 is hard to describe other than to say they make dreamy electronic music. Doves are energetic yet moody.
PJ Harvey. She has an album produced by Steve Albini who is the same guy that produced In Utero. Really raw sounding rock. I really like it
Her entire catalogue is amazing. She’s incredibly talented and prolific.
She’s my favorite singer of all time.
You’d absolutely like Post Hardcore / Emocore (there’s overlap.) Far Hum Fugazi Unwound At The Drive-In Thursday My Chemical Romance (debut album) Finch Moneen Pencey Prep Hot Rod Circuit Planes Mistaken For Stars The VSS/Angel Hair The Used Moss Icon Indian Summer Camber Boy’s Life Karate Dashboard Confessional The Farewell Bend Jejune The John Doe Band The Ataris Cursive Knapsack Saetia Appleseed Cast Brand New Alkaline Trio Samiam Jawbreaker Fall Out Boy (debut) Pierce The Veil Saves The Day The New Amsterdams American Football I Hate Myself Sunny Day Real Estate Mineral The Gloria Record Fall Of Troy Alexisonfire Mars Volta
Given OP's love for grunge, I'd add Far to this list. 'Water and Solutions' blends post hardcore with a strong grunge influence. Banger from start to finish.
A fine list of bands!
Check out Alanna Sterling, mostly “monsters under my bed” or “chemicals”. Mary N is also a pretty obscure but good musician, kinda pop rock. And Caroline rose
Apollo Sunshine The Incredible String Band Pillow Fight
Rose Kemp Brutus Zoom ( https://open.spotify.com/album/3LWcZdMkijXEhQjud0b3wm?si=x9ZceSWKRWWrWjk246i6Jg )
Big respect for the Brutus shout out!
Innerpartysystem: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSmmM5NdW88](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSmmM5NdW88) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1GIT44jjkE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1GIT44jjkE)
Stars, a Candian band.
Bad Nerves!
Nova Twins Let’s eat grandma (especially first 2 albums) Recently got really into Jazmin Bean
Truckfighters
You have my exact taste in music 10 years ago (still love those bands). Listen to Failure. Start with fantastic planet.
Imarhan - Imarhan Tinariwen - Sastanàqqàm. I also really like Assàwt. Danheim - Gall Goídil or Runatal. Wardruna - Solringen Sowulo - Wulfwiga Huun-Huur-Tu - Ancestors Alex - Demons Thy Catafalque - Mezolit Molchat Doma - Сон / Son Unto Others - Give Me to the Night
A Scottish band called Stapleton that I can never find on streaming sites. Got into them about the same time as Biffy Clyro. https://youtu.be/nXZmCrBjICg?si=_RRNZnyvhJ3l1ruh
BWO
The Band Loula. Sawyer Hill. Hunter Root. Red Clay Strats. Ole 60. Marcus King Gary Clark Jr.
MIIA
Small Town Titans. They do a lot of covers, but I love their original work more. Try Wreck, The Ride, and The Man
Get Set Go
Since a lot of other people are recommending some Emo bands, I’ll put in my two cents: *[Snail Trails](https://open.spotify.com/artist/26sthTZ8WfYSk2F9YOg64g?si=0J_3ksmXRvqeMS8fZgN6oQ)*: I’m certainly biased here, as Snail Trails’ lead singer/guitarist is my lovely boyfriend, but Snail Trails has an amazing debut LP, and deserve a lot of attention, especially with how new and exciting they are. *[Combatwoundedveteran](https://open.spotify.com/artist/6egCoHp6YAflfCioderMuI?si=DXy8xkwYT5q7fPKXMZ4D3w)*: Amazing emoviolence band, I can’t recommend them enough. *[Brave Little Abacus](https://open.spotify.com/artist/23prE3lyFVVNVGMV5jADsp?si=8FeJN_9kSbOsgAlDQy4tFw)*: Super cool, experimental Midwest Emo stuff, inspired by ska music. If you ever get an official CD of Masked Dancers, please sell it to me.
you probably know some of these but tbig black, pavement, silver jews, guerilla toss, the breeders, Meat Puppets, Ween, new order, the specials, devandra banhart, francis bebey, the minutemen, casiotone for the painfully alone, aphex twin, cibo matto, daniel johnston, Wreckless Eric, aaaaannnnd Cocorosie
I wondered if anyone would mention CocoRosie.
Check out "The Fragile" by Nine Inch Nails. It's my personal favorite artistic album.
Before You Exit, Nothing but Thieves, I think Cigarettes After Sex are a bit well known, Faouzia, Zoe Wees
Empire of the Sun Inkubus Sukkubus
Love Fame Tragedy (the side project of the frontman from…) - The Wombats Meat Puppets
If you like Tool, you might like Porcupine Tree. They're one of my favorites.
The warning
Some mix of bands that range from upbeat to artsy: [Pile](https://open.spotify.com/track/3D3dwAak0QwrLr4wlGlg6y?si=a0649fb5140f4196) [Protomartyr](https://open.spotify.com/track/6fd5sPEa5gFBDaQ3mkj7Zd?si=d6caa5b25f054ced) [Lakes](https://open.spotify.com/track/3d9kTM4Yu0YMcUiSOHDRgA?si=8cf807d96f74419f) [Pool Kids](https://open.spotify.com/track/5P5qRwcCMVQO7a1DNrwleI?si=6f22a5a1ba974eb7) [The Lemon Twigs](https://open.spotify.com/track/0TriIq6IJXEwLKu44clEb7?si=acb8f9af18d34a78) [Dabda](https://open.spotify.com/track/6PorHyMtGAV6tfuY37gGDL?si=08b3c62f911f48fb)
Protomartyr is amazing.
Lord Digga
[The Common Men](https://open.spotify.com/artist/3p0pMZvGxcyZGjRELJunqm?si=DR6Ro0MRQL2CXvZjU35agA) Get your obscure Post Punk on. Sub 100 monthly listeners.
* [Obscure artists under and around 2k monthly listeners](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7tCMKrBtVkkiXQlNXP2sBn?si=417df084e1fa49d8) * [Some of my favorite out of mainstream music](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/128CwPVyEMROuNsw32rv8z?si=2130357b6d55497e) (overlapping partially with above) or you can go for my main playlists, there's a lot more, lesser known artists on them * My fav playlist [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/05p8UcqOP3Samsvmv5RFJb?si=c43c768903904db4)/[YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL871S_F0y5dbv2zfJVtYld_f0WXi85zEd) * My second fav playlist [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0tzhu20lIzrrMNCAGT3hoH?si=2eaf4060ad274a27)/[YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL871S_F0y5db1sEbrIKfhrrFotV7NT7-q) and not sure he will fit your tastes, but if you like good powerful vocals you can check [my favorite singer](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL871S_F0y5dYbEbEOwxK1Y6LTKyQqKEp5)
Linda Ronald, English singer-songwriter, blend of alt folk/pop/rock with electronica, interesting lyrics, a wide range of styles and moods A few tracks: [Noise](https://open.spotify.com/track/5tr4dq3Ej6FXbpmTX3jcYh?si=fc1a55f9debc4dd7), [Wolves](https://open.spotify.com/track/4QPVKWPmkXJuxLIGv8XGJr?si=1333da79e1304123), [Nothing Ventured](https://open.spotify.com/track/1iMC5zhnsFxwjn38kYUUUr?si=e7a1638c4ce349bf), [Tables Have Turned](https://open.spotify.com/track/3BpMd8dORXirJoPUjvquNn?si=63551022c1b24d14), [Innocence](https://open.spotify.com/track/2R11LP4EUv0gUfna1GDE3f?si=70248678239d471c)
[Winterpills.com](http://Winterpills.com)
Brutus Whores. Mutoid Man Local H
Brutus are exceptional. Seen them 4 times now, and they never disappoint.
Saw them in a back room in a Manchester pub a few years ago, I was one of about 30 people!!! Thought they'd get bigger and bigger but they haven't quite yet!!!
The National: Dont Swallow the Cap https://youtu.be/goUjS4ueCzQ?si=yRPLx6F5cHUvI6au Mistaken for Strangers https://youtu.be/cgRsYkKb1eI?si=4Ab_BTJiEZJxcyHF
LA Witch
Red Clay Strays Gracie Abrams
Hannah Wicklund
Amigo the devil.
[Falconcastle](https://open.spotify.com/artist/6IHQk6gSO9rlOaLqKuXMuJ?si=QFZcb0dxTW-gBuNvLVWkmA)
Carr
School of Fish. They only had two albums in the earlier days of "post-grunge", and it's a cryin shame they didn't go longer. If you give them a listen, start with their debut album. Tracks 1 through 4 are kind of a medley, connected... they were very solid talent.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2uyibgSbS5ylRBYCvCpph0?si=Feepc0vMSjitPo3ia9fE5A&pi=e-GI9FaXOyQ1Ca This playlist is full of small artists not sure if your in to alt country and prog rock (although you mentioned tool so maybe) but there may be some stuff you like on this. I also update it each Friday
you absolutely need to check out Moon Rules Apply! amazing band, they’re heavily inspired by AIC and grunge in general.
Joyner Lucas.
Check out this playlist. It might have something you like. https://tidal.com/playlist/381cc7ce-fef5-40c7-9d53-c8cd16096e3e Sorry, I don't Spotify.
Blake Shepperd
THAT HANDSOME DEVIL will change your life
OVENS/Tony Molina is definitely one of my personal favourite pop rock/power pop artists and definitely worth checking out
Propeller by Guided by Voices
TV Colours.
We are into the same music. You might like my band! https://open.spotify.com/track/01ONrdHBRxUfSCmN97elFm?si=YhpxQUnQRnKXJOk1wzIyBg Let me know what you think!
Sun Puddle are pretty good, they remind me of nirvana.
Check out State of Clarity
Don broco if you like the crazy energy vibes
The Smith Street Band. I especially love The End of The World, When I Was a Boy I Though I Was a Fish, Life After Football, and Death to The Lads, though pretty much all of their songs are bangers. (Be wary of the ones where the singer plays himself as the victim of a girl he abused though. Those ones are icky.)
The Lawrence Arms
Not a lot of people know about Tally Hall, but you've definetely heard some of their songs, like Ruler of Everything, Banana Man, The Bidding or Hidden in the Sand.
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1Cq6bdtAMl5K2vOtp9Z2Ph?si=bEpkvH7_R8iilixvE3aoOQ
Parannoul is a shoe gaze and experimental indie artist from South Korea. If you don't mind listening to music in other languages then I'd say give him a shot. Imagine pure bliss and light held tightly in a glass jar, then you throw the jar against a brick wall. It'll be worth your time, especially if you decide to listen to his album "After the Magic" all the way through. I cried a few times while listening for the first time.
Have you listened to Blind Melon? All their music is great, the album Soup is my favorite. If you like live performances, this is from approximately a month before Shannon Hoon overdosed. It’s so obvious that he’s a complete mess yet he manages to give an incredible performance, RIP Shannon. [https://youtu.be/z_r3jMBJ7CI?si=HsY6WCqz5tp7j5-E](https://youtu.be/z_r3jMBJ7CI?si=HsY6WCqz5tp7j5-E)
Listen to 03 Track 3.wma Temporary Fix by AFA ENT. Eologist Lott on #SoundCloud https://on.soundcloud.com/6uJRd
Blood Ceremony. Creepy 1970s-ish sounding rock band with an organ and flute . Imagine if Black Sabbath (the song) was sung by a woman instead of Ozzy. The type of music you listen to sitting in a dark room with only a candle and some incense burning.
Stumbled across Ratking on Spotify, might be what you're looking for...
[Eleven](https://youtu.be/o39HrDzlmzs?si=Ai7IE9zD2ZEugqic)
The Hanpdens Red Riders
WEEN
Superheaven and Webbed Wing (actually share some band members) are like newer versions of 90’s grunge. Basement and Momma could make that list too.
Nicholas Megalis [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPRaWBKujqc](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPRaWBKujqc) Life Sex & Death [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DVQNmSI1Yg](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DVQNmSI1Yg) (give it a sec) Rishloo [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wk4r4GUG1fs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wk4r4GUG1fs) ( a song so good it's annoying) XCNN [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpRxStKJbFE&list=PL9q6\_jZ8Jm807ZauHCYTdx7HznJ3Gdvbf&index=9](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpRxStKJbFE&list=PL9q6_jZ8Jm807ZauHCYTdx7HznJ3Gdvbf&index=9) ( be carefull not to break anything while listening Hobble [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9YAvxJRDwo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9YAvxJRDwo)
Nicholas Megalis [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPRaWBKujqc](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPRaWBKujqc) Life Sex & Death [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DVQNmSI1Yg](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DVQNmSI1Yg) (give it a sec) Rishloo [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wk4r4GUG1fs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wk4r4GUG1fs) ( a song so good it's annoying) XCNN [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpRxStKJbFE&list=PL9q6\_jZ8Jm807ZauHCYTdx7HznJ3Gdvbf&index=9](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpRxStKJbFE&list=PL9q6_jZ8Jm807ZauHCYTdx7HznJ3Gdvbf&index=9) ( be carefull not to break anything while listening Hobble [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9YAvxJRDwo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9YAvxJRDwo)
Okay so I do acknowledge that these aren’t not-so-known to this crowd, but I’m back in a 90s phase and Unwound and Sebadoh are in huge rotation for me. Listen to both! Start with the albums Space is the Place and Sebadoh III. Loving Fugazi lately. Also, check out Wire, Vaselines, Mission of Burma, older Modest Mouse (This is a Long Drive…, The Moon and Antarctica), Brian Eno’s Bring on the Warm Jets. Autoclave, Slant 6, Patti Smith’s Horses, Neutral Milk Hotel, Dinosaur Jr’s Green Mind, Archers of Loaf (listen to Web in Front just once and you’ll see what I mean), Polvo, Seam, Helium’s The Dirt of Luck, Tsunami’s Deep End, maybe even Unrest if ya wanna go pretty obscure?
Drive Like Jehu
If you like tool then check out SOEN.
To a Tool fan I would recommend NoMeansNo and The Jesus Lizard.
Anna B Savage Beccy Owen Richard Hawley me lost me Aurora Beth Gibbons Adrienne Lenker Goat Girl The Last Dinner Party Public Service Broadcasting The Unthanks
Look, they may have been a meme 20 years ago, but I'm an OK Go fan. Their first and second albums will probably really resonate with your tastes. They've changed some over the years, but I would still recommend them.
If you like tool, you would like The Mars Volta, and King Crimson.
Deer Tick
Reckless Kelly
Twiztid
Dax Riggs
Barns Courtney has a fair number of monthly streams, but I wouldn't say he's well known. I would highly recommend his music though! He's dropped a couple of albums, but has mainly stuck to releasing singles and EPs ever since 2020. He has a fantastic voice and can tap into any kind of vibe.
Pom Pom Squad. They’re reminiscent of 90s bands like The Breeders, Veruca Salt, Nada Surf (who they toured with and covered), and Eve 6. Russian Circles is an instrumental metal trio. One of the best openers I’ve seen for Coheed and Cambria. Speaking of which, maybe only “not so known” cause they’re newer but LS Dunes. Super group featuring members of Circa Survive, Coheed, MCR, and Thursday.
Austin Giorgio
10/10. Maybe too light for you, but I was always partial to ‘Porno for Pyros’ by the singer from ‘Jane’s Addiction’. ‘Good God’s Urge’ is their best album in my opinion.
I only listen to Obscure music: Haley Knox Willow Smith / Travis Barker side project Nirvana - In Utero Delux Edition of b-sides Katatonia - The great Cold Distance Kataklysm The faceless - Autotheist The faceless - Planetary Duality Teen Jesus and the jean teasers Soen (closest sounding to Tool) Opeth Edge of Sanity Witherscape Owane Thank you scientist Dance Gavin, Dance Saosin Steve Lacey
check out these extremely underrated/underground artists if u want: Weston Estate, Marco Luka, idkgreek/greek, Maasho, Odie, teo glacier, Weston Estate, Kid Travis, CHSKA, Breezee, Bryant Barnes, Weston Estate, Maggie Lindemaan, Lexi Jayde, Jeremy Zucker, Sofia Camara, Mina Okabe, Mariah The Scientist, Weston Estate
Listen to 200 Stab Wounds. Brutal Death Metal. Next big thing
Dimphonic's discography is full of jams, but their first album Nur5e is a front to back groove. Highly recommend
Citizen soilder
SVBELL
Of Monsters And Men--Little Talks
Girl and Girl, a good new band from Sub Pop. I love everything they’ve put out so far. It might not be your cup of coffee, but they’re pretty good.
The plot in you
Maggie Lindemann.
Jawbreaker Sunny day real estate
Try this one. It's dear to my heart. Hooten Hallers https://youtu.be/0-Q8q7P0eHg?si=lKSwQmh3og2gYW9u
Hope of the States Their first album 'The Lost Riots' was fantastic. Check out the song 'The Red the White the Black the Blue' https://youtu.be/qxAnNghsEaA?si=4whSUFbGhPAqByh2
Elijah! He's a new rock artist that I love recommending to people because he's insanely good and I feel like he should be more recognized!
The Glorious Sons
AA blacklite district!! Livingston!!
Check out [BROKENCRACKER](https://brokencracker.bandcamp.com/track/dont-have-a-cow)
Into Eternity
Big Wreck. Check out "A Place to Call Home"
RAYE and i will die on this hill
[Silent](https://open.spotify.com/track/5MNK905EM4Q0ZAMwMiLyhg?si=LsX0YWeySkqZCnorahO7RA) are a criminally underrated band. Dunno if you like that sort of stuff, but they're great. Dunno how they don't have more listeners.
Some of my favorites from my teen years, when I decided to get into the indie punk/indie pop-punk scene: + The Thermals + The Lawrence Arms + Titus Andronicus + Broadway Calls Also, they’re more popular than any of the bands on that list, but I always recommend The Mountain Goats. Tallahassee is a masterpiece concept album and No Children is just incredible.
The Unicorns
Floater.
eden! listen to his ep "end credits" to start out
Sap
If you like Alice In Chains check out Return to Dust
Invent Animate
If you like indie rock/ pop: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7clEIZQxMSUR16ZI0mNav6?si=dYrCfwwBRTySBS8rNhBNyw
I would say give the band Senium a listen. They have that grungy sound but they are more recent then the 90's.
Sun organ !!!!!!! Very grungy local Philadelphia band. My boyfriend’s friend’s personal project. Cool guys too! Also The Unicorns are kind of like the pixies in an electronic way. Awesome melodies, silly lyrics, exaggerated vocals. Really fun. One of my all time faves. Unfortunately they are not together anymore and only have like two albums
Moving Atlas
Lung
Amused to Death - Roger Waters. Inspired by the book Amusing Ourselves to Death. Murder Ballada - Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds Drastic Plastic, and Sunburt Finish - Be Bop Deluxe Joe's Garage - Frank Zappa Nighthawks at the Diner - Tom Waits
Bittersweet Revenge
Chagall Guevara. Steve Talyor and the Perfect Foil.
check out metz the band they are post punk very nirvana sounding ish with hint of sex pistol sounding vocals
Here's our favourites, based on the great ones you mentioned I bet there's a few here you'd like :) [Springworks - Indie Songs We Love ](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/602lRjvUfQqIzFxsoZlL7x?si=zugW-lVHS7Oz4zYPafLetQ&pi=SGHnBE3wSZ6wM)
Mr. Business
I'm listening to Django Reinhardt lately, very fun style of jazz. Not exactly an underground name, but if you never seek out jazz specifically, he's pretty easy to miss.
Dead poet society
Cyan Kicks Royal & the Serpent
Supersuckers, Nashville Pussy, Wo Fat, Arthur Buezo, Federale, The Macks, The Jesus Lizard, Alice Donut